SRS Light/Airbag Light: What Should I Do When It’s On

SRS stands for Supplemental Restraint System and it is associated with cars airbag technology. If your car’s SRS light in on, it can be a big issue.

What is SRS light?

In the simplest term, SRS light or the light for Supplemental Restraint System is a sensor working to indicate the status of the safety airbags in cars. The airbag light will be blinking for seconds after the ignition if there is any trouble. This system is working to check the airbags for drivers, passengers and sides airbags, including the modulator, inflation, and wiring.

As you may know already, vehicles applied airbag technology as an occupant restraint system to protect drivers and passengers in moving means of transport. Thus, this is a sign of SRS functionality in cars which is a red light indication malfunction of the airbag system.

The light is related to safety as it involves airbags and seat belts. It can help you know if your car is in a safe condition or not.

Why Is The SRS Light On?

There can be many reasons for the SRS light on your vehicle to turn on. These include:

Seatbelt Problem:

The light might be referring to a seat belt not strapped in or not tightened. Try strapping the seatbelt into the buckle. Some cars have sensors in the buckles e that give the computer a green light when they are correctly put.

Airbag System Problem:

This is one of the most common reasons to get an SRS light on. This could be due to a problem with the crash sensors or you might have had an accident earlier which activated the airbags but the light stayed on even when after they’ve been deactivated.

Corrosion Problem:

The internal components of your car might have been damaged and corroded due to water damage. Corrosion can affect the functionality of the airbags.

Hence, the SRS light goes on and continues to stay that way until you get it to a mechanic or do it yourself with an OBD2 scanner.

Is It Safe To Drive With The SRS Light/Airbag Light On?

The SRS light indicates a problem with the seatbelt or the airbag system. If you drive it with the light on, chances are that the airbags will not deploy if an accident were to happen.

Airbags can reduce the force and slow down the impact. However, they are useless if they don’t deploy. While your car will work fine with the light on, you’re basically putting not just your life but other passenger’s life into danger as well.

Plus, it can also put your car and everyone else around you at risk as well. It’s not worth it.

How Does SRS Work?

As stated earlier, SRS is related to seatbelt issue and airbag deployment. It works as there are motions sensors in the car that send a signal when there’s a collision.

The sensors that go off can belong to the accelerometers, side door pressure sensor, seat occupancy sensor or the impact sensor.

If any of these sensors smell trouble they deploy the airbags and inflate the nylon fabric bag to help reduce the impact. This can help reduce the risk.

What Should I Do When The SRS Light Is On?

The SRS light issue must be immediately resolved. This can be done in two ways:

#1. Get it fixed by a mechanic

Taking the car to a mechanic and get the problem diagnosed and fixed. As soon as the problem is fixed, the SRS light will be turned off, indicating that it’s safe to drive again.

#2. Do it yourself with an OBD2 Scanner

Then there’s the other method of solving the SRS light issue. You can do it with an OBD2 scanner. This one is a cheaper method compared to taking the car to a mechanic.

An OBD2 scanner is a tool that is connected to the OBD2 port in your car. It diagnoses the car’s system and hits up with a trouble code that defines what the problem is.

However, you need to buy an OBD2 scanner that is capable of reading SRS light codes and resetting it. There are many OBD2 scanners on the market. They work with 1996 and newer models and can solve not just SRS issues but other basic and advanced problems as well.

Bonus: Best OBD2 Scanners Review and Comparison 2021

OBD2 scanners can be wireless or wired. Pick one according to your needs, but make sure to go for an option that can read SRS issues.

They work by displaying error codes to help you know what the cause of the problem is. You can Google the code to find the issue and solutions. Moreover, some advanced OBD2 scanners come with explanation and fixes as well.

Even if the scanner is not able to suggest a fix, it will help you find the real issue, which can be a time and money saver.

So, all in all, an OBD2 scanner can be a lifesaver and a money saver as well since you won’t have to spend a lot by paying to the mechanic. The best part is that OBD2 scanners not only solve SRS light issues but a number of other car issues as well.

You can have a look at our best OBDII scanner reviews to know more about available options on the market.

The Bottomline

If the SRS light in your vehicle is bright then know that the safety feature (airbag system) in your car has been disabled. Statistics reveal that airbags have saved a lot of lives in times of horrendous car crashes. You cannot neglect their importance.

It doesn’t matter how careful of a driver you are, accidents can happen anytime to anyone. Therefore, you shouldn’t take any chances and get this issue sorted out by either going to a mechanic or doing it yourself with an OBD2 scanner.

Bonus: 10 Best ABS/SRS Car Diagnostic Tools Review & Comparison 2021